Thursday, March 26, 2009

Lava isn’t the only dangerous element flowing from the mountains in Hawaii—cloudbursts create flash floods in streambeds and have racked up more fatalities than the combined forces of eruptions, tsunamis, and hurricanes. The Wailuku River (translated as “destructive waters”) gathers runoff from the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest mountains as measure from their underwater bases to their peaks, and sends a torrent screaming through bedrock into Hilo Bay. Wailuku River State Park features two falls popular on the tour-bus circuit.

Rainbow Falls, a wide 80-footer, has a huge pool and a cave behind the water curtain, where in ancient times the demigod Maui saved his mother, the goddess Hina, from the giant eel-lizard Mo’o Kuna. On calm days, local kids swim at pools above the falls. Swimmers also like the pools called Boiling Pots that are in the bedrock canyon below Pe’epe’e Falls, which is just up the road. But when the falls are pumping, the pots are a caldron and anyone with brains stays well back.

EXPLORE HAWAII WITH US

ALOHA TRAILBLAZERS!

This "field diary" by the authors of the five, outdoor-and-cultural Trailblazer Travel Books is loaded with photos and daily blogs. The site allows veteran travel writers Janine (photographer/designer) and Jerry (writer) to publish updates, outtakes and island factoids that may not make it into their Hawaii guidebooks. Anyone can click around Trailblazer Hawaii for an armchair outing that can truly be found nowhere else.

Hotel Deals Worldwide

Trailblazing INSTAGRAMS

Search This Blog

Trailblazer Team

Like Us on Facebook or Tweet it Up

Subscribe To

TEAM TRAILBLAZER

Many thanks to all of you for your kind words and encouragement. We’re glad you’ve had a blast exploring trails, beaches, and Hawaii's quaint towns with one of our Trailblazer books as your guide. We hope that those of you who wish to share your enthusiasm can do so by placing a brief review or comment on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, tripadvisor, or other online site.

BUY TRAILBLAZER GUIDES BEFORE YOU GO:

Hawaii Photo Gallery

Photos on this blog may be purchased or licensed for prints or stock. Inquiries: trailblazerhawaii@gmail.com

BUY TRAILBLAZERS WHOLESALE

We offer a 40% discount on the purchase of six or more books, with free shipping (to a single address only).Think about gifts, employee perks, a set for the family, or bundle-buying with friends. Groups can buy the books at this price and then re-sale to members as part of a fundraiser.For a book costing $16.95, you pay $10.17, with no tax and no shipping. To order, send us a request via email, at trailblazertravelbooks@gmail.com.

Free things to do on Kauai, Maui, Oahu and Hawaii the Big Island

Hawaii Big Island

Trailblazer Safety

Hawaii is home to some of the most violent forces in nature: Volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and earthquakes. Yet these events rarely harm anyone, due to early-warning systems and precautions. When Mother Nature harms or kills someone on Hawaii, she does it often on beautiful days when people are out having fun. Deaths occur due to drowning in rip currents, being hit by waves at the shore, falling from steep cliffs or getting lost off trail, and from flash floods. Fortunately virtually all fatalities are avoidable, especially yours. Be sure to follow all posted safety guidelines and well as those noted in Trailblazer guides. Our guides are like any other piece of gear: They will help you have fun adventuring, but it is up to you to use your own good judgment and common sense. All posted signage regarding trespassing and rules of public agencies supersede anything you may read in a book.